The Johnson AdministrationChapter 28, Lesson 4

The Johnson Administration Vision similar to that

of Kennedy’s War on poverty Provide a good

education for every child

Minimum health care for all Americans

End to racial injustice “Great Society”

Election of 1964 Democrats nominate Lyndon Johnson Republicans nominate Barry Goldwater

Lyndon B. Johnson (D) Barry Goldwater (R)• Federal programs to

help people• Advocated for

increased government involvement in Americans lives

• Very conservative• Advocated for the

right of individual states to have the final say in their policies

Election of 1964 Johnson wins in a land slide receiving

more votes than any President before him

Democrats win a majority in both houses of Congress

New Laws & War on Poverty Medicare – health insurance for the

elderly Elem. & Secondary School Act - $1

Billion in funds to districts with needy children

Housing Act – built low-cost housing for low-income families

Debating the Great SocietyPros of Welfare Cons of WelfarePrograms Funded by Contributions

Culture of Dependency

Social Safety Net Programs too ExpensiveBenefits Children Fraud Provides Needed Medical Care

Failure to Address Underlying Problems

What do you think?

Vietnam War Former French colony North = Communist/South = non-Comm. Eisenhower administration provided

weapons & money Kennedy administration provided military

advisors Johnson sends non-combat troops at

first……

Tonkin Gulf August of 1964 – reports

that two American ships were attacked off the coast of North Vietnam

Johnson to Congress: Allow me to “take any and all measures” to protect American forces in the area

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Congress never declares war

Vietnam War Communist North Vietnamese held rural

sections of the south U.S. was not winning war by 1968

North could quickly rebuild and replenish LBJ sets up peace meeting in Paris

before North & South Vietnam Meeting produces no results